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Below Average

#1804 of 2,268 schools in GA

Columbia Elementary School

Elementary School · DeKalb County

3230 Columbia Woods Dr, Decatur, GA 30032

Enrollment

388

Student-Teacher

11.8:1

Score

4.7

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Georgia schools

#1,804 of 2,268

In Decatur

#27 of 40

public schools

In district

#79 of 131

DeKalb County

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Columbia Elementary School

4.7/10

Elementary School in Decatur · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Greenforest Mccalep Christian Academy

6.9/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Columbia High School

4.0/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Columbia Elementary School

Columbia Elementary School is a public elementary school in Decatur, GA, part of DeKalb County. Columbia Elementary School serves approximately 388 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 11.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Columbia Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 and ranks #1,804 of 2,268 schools in GA.

Structured state assessment records for Columbia Elementary School show 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.2 pts below district
  • This school 4.7 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.9
  • GA avg 6.5

What Parents Should Know

55% of students at Columbia Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.1Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-4.69 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.3Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17.7% (2024 GA)
Reading/ELA Proficiency17.8% (2024 GA)
Math vs. State Avg-24.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-24 pts
Overall Proficiency18% (2024 GA, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)20% (model expectation from 2024 GA)
vs. Expected-2.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile24th
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio11.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$15,368
Chronic Absenteeism54.6%

Columbia Elementary School — Students at Columbia Elementary School score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 20%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

100%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores GA GA (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 34.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
42.1% (2024 GA)
ELA Proficiency 38.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
41.8% (2024 GA)

Based on 30 test records from GA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
63%
ELA
79%
2010
Math
64%
ELA
76%
2011
Math
68%
ELA
81%
2012
Math
62%
ELA
82%
2013
Math
73%
ELA
85%
2014
Math
18%
ELA
17%
2015
Math
14%
ELA
15%
2016
Math
20%
ELA
18%
2017
Math
20%
ELA
17%
2018
Math
26%
ELA
22%
2019
Math
26%
ELA
22%
2020*
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
12%
ELA
12%
2022
Math
18%
ELA
20%
2024
Math
17.7%
ELA
17.8%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.1/10.

How Columbia Elementary School Compares

See how Columbia Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
21th percentile in GA
Academic
4.3/10
Below Average
Growth
5.1/10
Average
Environment
4.4/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
100%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
54.6%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

3230 Columbia Woods Dr, Decatur, GA 30032

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Columbia Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. ST PETER CLAVER REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 9.1/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Peachcrest Elementary School (rated 6.5/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Kelley Lake Elementary School (rated 5.6/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Decatur, see our Decatur schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.8 mi
School Distance Rating
GREENFOREST MCCALEP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Decatur 0.4 mi 6.9
Columbia High School Decatur 0.7 mi 4.0
Snapfinger Elementary School Decatur 1.0 mi 3.3
BASIX KNOWLEDGE ACADEMY Decatur 1.4 mi 6.7
Toney Elementary School Decatur 1.3 mi 5.3
Columbia Middle School Decatur 1.6 mi 3.9
Wadsworth Magnet School for High Achievers Decatur 1.7 mi 8.5
Kelley Lake Elementary School Decatur 1.5 mi 5.6
Flat Shoals Elementary School Decatur 1.8 mi 4.4
Peachcrest Elementary School Decatur 2.0 mi 6.5
DeKalb Regional Youth Detention Center Decatur 2.2 mi
Towers High School Decatur 2.2 mi 3.7
Bob Mathis Elementary School Decatur 2.3 mi 4.7
Rainbow Elementary School Decatur 2.1 mi 4.8
ST PETER CLAVER REGIONAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL Decatur 2.1 mi 9.1
Canby Lane Elementary School Decatur 2.1 mi 4.5
Southwest DeKalb High School Decatur 2.3 mi 5.3
McNair Middle School Decatur 2.3 mi 4.2
DeKalb Preparatory Academy Charter Decatur 2.6 mi 5.5
DeKalb School of the Arts Avondale Estates 2.8 mi 9.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 30032 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$61,292

Median Home Value

$245,000

Median Rent

$1,364/mo

Population

42,812

College Educated

30%

Homeownership

57.8%

Avg Commute

32.8 min

Poverty Rate

16.5%

Median Age

39.7

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
Berta Weathersbee Elementary School Lagrange, GA 4.7
Bob Mathis Elementary School Decatur, GA 4.7
Calhoun Early Learning Academy Calhoun, GA 4.7
Cleveland Avenue Elementary School Atlanta, GA 4.7
Deerwood Academy Atlanta, GA 4.7
Dimon Elementary Columbus, GA 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Columbia Elementary School

What grades does Columbia Elementary School serve?

Columbia Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Columbia Elementary School?

Columbia Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 388 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Columbia Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Columbia Elementary School is 11.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Columbia Elementary School rank in GA?

Columbia Elementary School ranks #1,804 of 2,268 schools in GA.

What is Columbia Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Columbia Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Columbia Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Columbia Elementary School has 34% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Columbia Elementary School a charter school?

No, Columbia Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Columbia Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Columbia Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Columbia Elementary School?

100.0% of students at Columbia Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
36 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
37 Some Transit
Bike Score
14 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
388
Student-Teacher Ratio
11.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
100.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
DeKalb County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
54.6%

District

DeKalb County
District Enrollment
91,398
Schools in District
131
Per-Pupil Spending
$15,368
District Rank
#79 of 131

How we rate schools

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